Kenzie River Flow Merlot/Cab Franc 2022

Kenzie River Flow is a Hawke's Bay blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Some of Dave Mackintosh's fondest wine memories are of Hawke's Bay Merlot and Cabernet blends from the mid to late 1990s, shared with his mother, and making the same style from the same place twenty years on closes a loop for him. The fruit is from the organically managed Paritua vineyard in the Bridge Pā Triangle, planted in 2003 on gently undulating slopes below the limestone-rich Raukawa hills, on gravelly soils overlaid with alluvium loess, volcanic ash, greywacke stone and limestone. Merlot, destemmed and fermented twenty days with a daily hand plunge, makes up most of the blend, joined by whole-bunch Cabernet Franc picked days later. Eight months in puncheon and barrique followed.

Bright red and dark fruit, gentle herb and spice inside a soft frame, with a perky acid line and mid-weight, juicy appeal. Serve at 16 degrees. It goes with roast lamb, meatballs, a mushroom and lentil pie, or a wedge of Comté.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.